Newbie here

[Deltadawn465]

So what type of tortoise is best for a beginner? Would like to get 2, have done some research on set ups but really depends on what I get????

 

[Spn785]

It all depends on what you want and what you have available to you. I personally would suggest a Russian, Greek, or hermann's for a beginner. How much space do you have? What is your weather like? How warm do you keep your house/apartment?

 

[sibi]

Yep, it also depends on just how much time and resources you're willing to devote to the care of your tort. They all need devoted owners, but some species need more care as hatchlings. For instance, sulcatas are very fragile as hatchlings, whereas Russians are more hardy. Both need great care, but sulcatas even more. In fact, as a beginner, you may want to consider a yearling.

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome I agree with what was said. However, getting two is not the best idea, unless you plan on housing them separately. Hatchlings could live together possibly for a while, but then they may need to be housed separate. Getting three to live together is usually better. This is of course with a very large enclosure and many sight barriers, hides, etc.

 

[Deltadawn465]

Yep, it also depends on just how much time and resources you're willing to devote to the care of your tort. They all need devoted owners, but some species need more care as hatchlings. For instance, sulcatas are very fragile as hatchlings, whereas Russians are more hardy. Both need great care, but sulcatas even more. In fact, as a beginner, you may want to consider a yearling.

Thank you for the input!

 

[Jacqui]

What size are you thinking you can properly house as an adult? Do you want one who needs a lot of UVB light or one that can do with a little less? Is keeping a higher humidity an issue for you? Does the diet bother you? Like some are pure plant and some prefer some protein (normally means insects and meat) in their diet? Do you have a price range in mind? Do you want adults, subadults, or hatchlings? Does having them shipped to you bother you? Do you have any moral problems with if they may have been captive bred or wild caught? Do you want a species that may want to hibernate?

 

[jmhoesch]

I'm a newbie too. Well..............we've had our torti for a week so I still consider myself a newbie. We got our daughter a GREEK tortoise for her 12th birthday and we all love him. I tried to find a rescue or breeder near us but the nearest one was like 100 miles driving distance so we settled on a pet store one. We got him from Petsmart and he JUST arrived when got him. Wasn't even in their teeny tiny tank yet and grabbed him up.

He's in one of those lrg "exo terra" tanks w/ a mercury vapor bulb for all his lighting and basking needs. Took him 2-3 days for him to come around and eat and roam around his new home but once he did, he's settled nicely. Greeks and Russians are hardly lil things and similiar to their needs so it up to you on which one looks better to you.

Read ALL the threads here in this group! It's been a huge help to me. I've gone back 20 or so pages and read everything I could. Getting advice from long standing torti owners is the best in my opinion. Welcome!

 

[Tom]

Any of the Testudo species are good. My favorites are Russians and Hermanns. Unless you plan to house them separately, I agree you and your tortoise will be much better off with just one. Pairs are often problematic. Singles or groups fare much better in most cases.